Top and launcher



July 24, 1951 H. H. SZONNELL 2,561,601

TOP AND LAUNCHER Filed Feb. 24, 1948 Patented July 24, 1951 UNITE n 5 rates ants NT OFFICE I i 2,561,601 l roe AND LAUNCHER Henry H: Szonnell, Dayton", Ohio Application February 24, 1948, Serial No. 10,499

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to a toy top and launcher combination of the type in which the top is supported by the launcher while a string wrapped around the top shaft is given a pull for inducing rotation of the top.

It is recognized that a large number of top launchers have been used prior to my invention, but in every case the launchers have been impractical for one or more reasons. Some of the launchers have been impractical due to the high cost of manufacture, others have been impractical because they have been incapable of effec-- tively launching the tops and still others have had other objectionable features. It is an object of this invention to provide a small, inexpensive and practical launcher which overcomes the dis advantages of the prior art launchers.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved type of launcher and top combination in which it is possible to exert a pull on the launcher in the one direction and to exert a pull on the string in the opposite direction without causing the top to leave the launcher until the string is fully unwrapped, at which time the top automatically leaves the launcher.

Another object of this invention is to provide a top launcher which may be made in large quantities very cheaply.

Another object of this invention is to provide a launcher which takes up very little space and which constitutes a convenient means for sup porting the string when not in use.

Other objects and advantages reside in the con struction of parts, the combination thereof and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

In the drawings;

Figure 1 is an elevational view showing the top in the process of launching;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the top while support ed by the launcher;

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the top; and

Figure 4 is an elevational view showing the launcher with the launching string wrapped around the launcher.

Referring now to the drawings wherein I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, reference numeral l0 designates a launching element which is preferably made by bending a nar row strip of sheet metal into the shape of a U as shown in Figure 1. A pair of notches I2 have been provided adjacent the ends of the arms of the U for supporting the spindle I I of the top, generally designated by the reference character l8. While I have chosen to show a launching element made from flat strip material, it is obvious that at least some of the objects of my invention could be attained by using other types of materials such as square or round stock. The top spindle I4 is provided with a pair of grooves I8 adjacent its ends which cooperate with the slotted arms of the launcher [0, so as to vertically position the top relative to the launcher during the launching operation. It will be noted that the diameter of the spindle I4 is greater than the width of the slots I 2 except at the grooves E8.

The ends of the spindle I4 may be rounded, pointed, or otherwise shaped, depending upon the effect desired. For purposes of illustration, I have shown a spindle in which the one end is pointed as indicated at 20 and the other end is rounded as indicated at 22. The top may be spun with either end down, again depending upon the effect desired. For purposes of illustration, I have shown the body of the top in the shape of a disc 24 attached to the spindle I 4 at a point off center, whereas the disc may be secured to the spindle at any point desired. Likewise, the shape of the top may be varied without departing from the spirit of my invention.

A string 26 wound around the spindle I4 is used in launching the top in accordance with well-known practice. The string 26 is preferably provided with some means for obtaining a good. grip on the string, such as the ring 28 shown in Figure 2 or the crossbar 30 shown in Figure 1. As indicated by the arrows shown in Figure 1 of the drawing, a pull is exerted on the launcher ID in the one direction and the string 26 is pulled in the opposite direction. By virtue of this arrangement, it is possible to exert a very strong pull on the launching string 26 during the launching operation, with the result that the top may be spun at a very high rate of speed.

One of the problems encountered by the average youngster who carries around a top is that of not losing the launching string. In the arrangement disclosed herein, it is very convenient to wrap the launching string around the arms of the U-shaped launcher Ill when the string is not in use. The slots l2 serve as means for position-= ing the string on the launcher I0 at such times.

Although the preferred embodiment of the de vice has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, pro portion and arrangement of parts, the combina- 3 tion thereof and mode of operation, which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

In a toy top and launcher combination, a top having a spindle, said spindle being provided with circumferentially extending groove means, and a substantially U-shaped launcherjarranged to have the arms thereof in engagement with widely 1o spaced points on said spindle and held in place by said groove means, said U-shaped launcher having notches provided adjacent the ends of the arms of the U for engagement with said spindle, said notches being slanted with the open- 4 ings thereof disposed toward the bight of the U and the bight of the U serving as the handle.

HENRY I-I. SZONNELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 245,960 Kiah Aug. 23, 1881 461,948 Wilson Oct. 27, 1891 990,130 Heider Apr. 18, 1911 2,001,496 Kroelling May 14, 1935 2,454,918 Geddes Nov. 30, 1948 

